2018 Acura MDX
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 224 |
| 2002 | 204 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 171 |
| 2005 | 180 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 99 |
| 2008 | 49 |
| 2009 | 50 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 70 |
| 2012 | 75 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 168 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 357 |
| 2017 | 244 |
| 2018 | 158 |
| 2019 | 182 |
| 2020 | 209 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 128 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 66 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: engine — 34 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a garage there was a sudden odor of smoke.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240419
18% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER MY CAR PORT IMMEDIATELY AFTER RETURNING FROM THE GROCERY STORE. AS I WAS UNLOADING THE CAR I SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE WHICH THEN ERUPTED INTO A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200322
16% of complaints: electrical system — 25 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
Fire under the hood of my 2018 MDX - caused by weak battery and overloaded starter. My car was parked in the garage right under my daughterâs bedroom.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240109
14% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 22 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge.
Campaign 18V221000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Campaign 18V777000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019.
Campaign 19V060000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019.
Campaign 19V256000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge.
Campaign 19V298000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.
Campaign 23V751000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020...
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.
Campaign 23V858000 — check if this car was fixed
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025.
Campaign 25V259000 — check if this car was fixed
Engine failure
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021...
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 26V332000 — check if this car was fixed
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,...
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Acura MDX — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (34 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V365000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V221000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V777000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V060000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V256000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V298000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V751000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V259000 (exterior lighting, interior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V332000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2018 Acura MDX reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Acura MDX is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura MDX?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Acura MDX have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.